Tyre Pressure and Fuel Economy: The Easiest Fix Most Drivers Skip

Of all the maintenance checks that take under two minutes, tyre pressure is the one most consistently ignored — and it's costing drivers real money every month.

What under-inflation actually does

An under-inflated tyre has more of its surface in contact with the road, which increases rolling resistance. Your engine has to work harder to maintain the same speed, which means more fuel burned per kilometre. Under-inflation also causes the tyre's shoulders to wear faster than the centre, shortening its usable life.

What over-inflation does

Too much pressure has the opposite problem: less rubber touches the road, which wears the centre of the tread faster and reduces grip, particularly in the wet.

How often to check

Check tyre pressure at least once a month, and always before a long upcountry trip. Check when the tyres are cold — pressure rises as tyres heat up from driving, so a reading taken after a long drive will be misleadingly high.

Where to find the right pressure

Your vehicle's recommended tyre pressure is on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb or in the owner's manual — not on the tyre sidewall itself, which shows the tyre's maximum rated pressure, not the recommended one for your car.

Popping in for tyre fitting or balancing? Ask our team to check and set your pressures at the same time — it's a quick add-on that pays for itself in fuel savings.